July 14, 2012

Self Breast Exams

In March of this year, I felt something inside my body I never thought I would feel. I was changing clothes and changed bras and I felt something uncomfortable where my underwire hit. It was a little tender to the touch and I got a little concerned. I called my doctor and got an appointment for the next day. She did an exam and told me it was an inflamed duct. As an overwhelming sense of relief came over me, she continued on and let me know that she wanted to go ahead and do an ultrasound just to make sure everything is ok. I was fine with this idea because it's noninvasive and not a big deal.

A few days later, I was back in the doctor's office for my ultrasound. As I laid there, the technician asked me to pinpoint the area of concern. She went around the specific area. As she did that, I watched the screen and saw what I now call "the intruder". The technician told me she was going to go get a radiologist to look at my images before I left. A few minutes later, he came in the room and told me that I have a tumor.

Jumping forward to this last Wednesday...
I had my follow up ultrasound to check the size of my intruder. Not only has it grown a little but, but it has taken on a whole new shape. The picture below is my first image (top) and my second image (bottom).

(This isn't a size comparison, because the pictures were taken with my phone from two different types of screens).

As my new radiologist looked at the new images and then took some more images himself, he informed me that the tissue around the tumor is healthy breast tissue, which is very good news. He gave me a few options, a follow up scan in three months, a biopsy, or a lumpectomy. My husband and I decided that we were jumping in head first and taking control of the situation. Like I have said from the beginning, this is an intruder, it doesn't belong in my body and it is coming out. There is no need for us to wait for another scan or go through a potentially painful biopsy when I could just tell this dude "goodbye" forever!!!

There are not but a handful of people in my life who currently know about this little creature living inside my body. I have not brought it to many people's attention because more than likely, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

I wrote this blog today to share the importance of doing a self breast exam. No matter how old you are, male or female, breast cancer is no joke. It's scary and serious. A self breast exam is so easy and quick.

Do an exam once a month. You may find something, you may not, but if you do, do not hesitate to call your doctor. I was a little concerned that I was going to embarrass myself and it would be nothing, but mine was something. I'm glad I put everything aside, and called. I know it's nothing, I know that I'm fine, but what if it is something? If it is, I saved my own life.

6 comments:

Thank you for sharing and wishing you and your family all the very best.Your body is the temple of God and the perfect work of the Almighty, I prophesier life into you and every " Intruder" in your body to be removed in the name of the Almighty Healer and God.Amen!

Oh my! I pray the intruder leaves! Thank you so much for sharing... I've only had one "real" breast exam, that was at my first OB appointment when I was pregnant with my 11 month old. I have felt around every once in a while to make sure, and felt nothing odd. I know I need to do it more often. Again, thank you for the reminder!

Thank you for posting this!!! I'm a gluten-free mother of a ten-month-old beautiful girl...and I have breast cancer. I am, SO glad you caught it early enough!!! Something I want to remind new mothers of is how confusing it can be after having a baby, with all the changes our breasts go through. I might have discovered my lump sooner, had I known what to look for.It would have been detected before I was in stage 2. I thought I just had an infected milk duct, but I was wrong. I have just finished 4 cycles of chemotherapy. In a month, my breasts are going to be removed, and then I'll have 6 weeks of radiation. At the end of it, I'll be getting new breasts, but it feels like such a long way to go. I cannot stress ENOUGH how important it is to remain dilligent on this....ESPECIALLY new moms!!! NEVER assume that a lump is harmless!!! Always, always have it checked!!! Thank you for your story!!! Also...I'm going to have to take a closer look at that cinnamon roll recipe! ;-)

About Me

In August of 2008, I was 95 pounds and no one knew why. After many doctors appointments, tests and bloodwork, a friend of mine encouraged me to try a gluten free diet. A few days later, a doctor diagnosed me with Celiac Disease.
Having Celiac Disease changed my life forever and it took me two years to see it as a blessing and not a curse. Because of my diagnosis of Celiac, my family and I are healthier and that is something I am very thankful for.
More recently, I have been creating and altering recipes to make them gluten free. I have gotten to enjoy anything from a "Cheezit" to an "Oreo".
I hope you enjoy my blog full of recipes and advice for anyone who is new to gluten free, or has been gluten free for years!